KeNHA Announces Month-Long Closure of Thika Superhighway Service Lanes at Kihunguro

Motorists using the Thika Superhighway have been urged to brace for five weeks of traffic disruptions after the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) announced the temporary closure of service lanes at Kihunguro.

KeNHA Director General Luka Kimeli said on Monday, November 9, that the closure would allow contractors to undertake bridge construction works, including the pre-assembly and hoisting of the bridge superstructure.

Kimeli told motorists and other road users that the planned closure would take effect on Sunday, November 15, and remain in place for the next five weeks, until Sunday, December 20, 2026.

"KeNHA informs the public of a temporary traffic disruption due to the closure of the Thika-bound service lanes at Kihunguro along the Thika Superhighway from Sunday, November 15, 2026, to Sunday, December 20, 2026," the Authority announced.

During the construction period, motorists travelling from Nairobi towards Thika will be required to use alternative routes provided by the Authority to avoid the affected section.

According to KeNHA, Nairobi-Thika traffic will be diverted through Shell Petrol Station before rejoining the superhighway. Motorists can also use the road behind Shell Petrol Station to reconnect with the highway.

“The Nairobi-Thika traffic will be directed to use the diversion via Shell Petrol Station back to the highway or behind Shell Petrol Station to rejoin Thika Superhighway as an alternative route during this period,” the authority stated.

KeNHA further urged motorists to exercise caution when approaching the construction site and follow the temporary traffic management plan to minimise accidents and congestion.

The Authority also asked road users to cooperate with police officers and traffic marshals, who it said would be deployed to guide motorists through the affected section.

"Motorists using this road are requested to exercise caution around the work areas, follow the proposed traffic management plan, and cooperate with the police and traffic marshals on site," KeNHA said.

The Kihunguro road works come amid wider maintenance and improvement projects along the Nairobi-Thika route aimed at improving road safety and easing traffic movement.

Among the planned improvements are the construction of bus bays at Roysambu and Githurai along the Nairobi-Ruiru section to provide designated areas for Public Service Vehicles (PSV) to pick up and drop off passengers.

The Ruiru-Thika section is also earmarked for additional improvements, including the construction of a climbing lane at Blue Post in Thika and bus bays at Witeithie.